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Travel in Barbados

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Executive Summary

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2015 is a record year for tourism

Barbados reached record high numbers in terms of arrivals in 2015. The main factors affecting the industry’s performance were the return of consumer confidence and the fall in oil prices around the world. With an improved outlook for its source markets, Barbados saw bookings increase. Increased investments in hotels and airline routes fuelled growth and marketing and promotional efforts were successful.

Outstanding online performance

Barbados has received ‘best destination’ awards from Expedia, Caribbean Journal and the Telegraph. Barbados was voted Caribbean Best Destination 2016 by Expedia because of its outstanding performance. The country received Best Destination by Caribbean Journal, and was ranked third among the islands of the Caribbean by TripAdvisor in 2015. Telegraph readers voted Barbados the best destination in the Caribbean for family holidays, best Caribbean beach holiday destination, best destination for activity and adventure holidays, and best destination for weddings and honeymoons.

US$1 billion in investments underway

Several projects are in the works, with a US$1.0 billion investment to be spent on upgrading or building hotels over the forecast period. The Sandals property will construct an additional 220 rooms in 2016. The former Sandy Bay is being turned into The Sands condominiums and will add 300 rooms. Meanwhile, the Beaches hotel is planned for the former Almond Beach Village, the new Wyndham-branded Sam Lords Castle, and the Carlisle Bay Hyatt Hotel.

UK is still major source market but Barbados diversifies in 2015

Barbados’ growth strategy in 2015 focused on diversifying its source markets by adding airline routes. Examples include Jet Blue’s flight out of Boston; Avianca’s flight out of Bogota; and a new Thomas Cook service out of Glasgow. Also, a twice-weekly Delta service out of Atlanta and New York was added, while Air Canada switched to a B777 aircraft. Barbados is also the first international destination to get JetBlue’s Mint Service, which is a premium travel experience.

Growth is expected to continue

In 2016 several plans will be implemented to ensure growth continues. Barbados’ 50th anniversary of independence is in 2016. The establishment of a new European division of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, the launch of a new destination website, the hosting of Barbados’ leading global tour operators in Connect Barbados 50, along with continued marketing efforts are all factors that are expected to help sustain growth.

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